The safe arrival of Australia’s Laws Of Indices in Hong Kong on Tuesday (29 November) and the imminent touchdown tonight of the first shipment of world-class horses from Japan for the LONGINES Hong Kong Races (HKIR) means we are now just days away from our showpiece meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday, 11 December.
By late this evening, Danon Scorpion, Danon The Kid, Gendarme, Jack d’Or, Lei Papale, Meikei Yell, Panthalassa and Resistencia are scheduled to be in residence at Sha Tin and that decorated group is due to be followed by more incoming equine stars from Singapore, Ireland, England, Germany and France – as well as a second batch from Japan – over coming days.
With such a distinguished assembly massing to challenge Hong Kong’s champions headed by Golden Sixty and Wellington, the sense of excitement and anticipation is rapidly building ahead of the staging of the Turf World Championships.
I am extremely grateful for the support and commitment of the overseas owners and trainers who are returning to Hong Kong for LONGINES HKIR for our “celebration of champions” – which will be led by outstanding horses, trainers and jockeys.
This theme will resonate throughout next week with the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on Wednesday (7 December) when Ryan Moore, Jamie Kah, Hollie Doyle, James McDonald, Yuga Kawada, Zac Purton, Mickael Barzalona, Tom Marquand, Jye McNeil, Silvestre de Sousa, Vincent Ho and Matthew Chadwick battle for the IJC crown.
On Friday night (9 December), we gather to pay homage to the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey based on Group 1 success in 2022 and on Sunday (11 December), to crown a fantastic week, LONGINES HKIR takes centre stage with world-class contests over 1200m, 1600m, 2000m and 2400m offering a record HK$110 million in prizemoney.
Preparations are well advanced for our flagship meeting and, given the current form of Ryan Moore (Japan Cup victory on Vela Azul), Zac Purton (51) Hong Kong winners from only 21 meetings) and the opportunity for Hollie and Jamie to ride against each other for the first time, I am confident next week will be not only memorable but will also play a significant role in the relaunch of Hong Kong and show that we are open for business.
On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of inspecting Sha Tin’s brand new purpose-built, four-storey P1 Car Park, which is the latest enhancement in the Club’s HK$7 billion-plus Racecourse Master Plan project. With 496 parking spaces, it offers direct and barrier-free access to Owners and Members facilities in the racecourse. Furthermore, it will improve the traffic flow both within and outside Sha Tin Racecourse.
Customer-centricity is a key principle governing our planning and operation. We place high importance to meeting the aspiration of our customers. Over the past 14 years, the Club has continuously invested in its assets and services under the Racecourse Master Plan, averaging over HK$500 million yearly to enhance customers’ race-going experience. The P1 Car Park, which will increase the covered car park spaces in Sha Tin Racecourse by around 40%, is a latest example of our commitment and effort to meeting the expectations of our Owners and Members whose support is vital to Hong Kong’s world-class racing.
The new car park, which has been designed to promote sustainability with 50 parks equipped with electric chargers, opens this Friday.
The health and safety of all participants is a priority for the Club and rigorous COVID-19 testing is a key part of our strategy to protect the well-being of everyone involved.
Unfortunately, we have seen four jockeys – Zac Purton, Antoine Hamelin, Jye McNeil and Ruan Maia – stood down from riding over the past two days after adverse PCR test results.
In Zac’s case, the Club’s Chief Medical officer (CMO) is investigating a possible asymptomatic re-positive case following a PCR test undertaken this morning. Zac first tested positive on 13 November and has since fully recovered but will not be able to ride tonight after his latest test.
Regarding Antoine, the CMO is also investigating a possible asymptomatic re-positive case following a PCR test undertaken yesterday morning. Antoine first tested positive on 20 November and has since fully recovered but will not be able to ride tonight after his latest test.
Depending on test results over coming days, Zac and Antoine could potentially return to race riding on Sunday (4 December).
In the case of Jye and Ruan, both riders have tested positive to COVID-19 and have been stood down for tonight’s meeting and also next Sunday’s. I wish all riders the very best in their recovery.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Glasgow Handicap for Class 2 horses over 1200m is carded as Race 7 at 10:15pm with prizemoney of $HK2,640,000 and provides an opportunity for Street Scream to extend his current lead in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge.
Street Scream is undefeated in three starts this season for Tony Cruz and was hugely impressive last start when held up for a clear run early in the straight before showing brilliant acceleration to come away and win from Cobhfield on 30 October. Apprentice Angus Chung takes the ride for the first time on Street Scream and, despite being up in class, I rate him a place chance.
Classic Unicorn, with Luke Ferraris, should have enough gate speed to lead from gate six with Harmony And Rich also driving forward from the outside gate for Jack Wong, ensuring the race is run at a good speed.
Rewarding Together was able to stalk the speed from gate one when driving through on the rails to beat Family Folks this course and distance on 30 October under an excellent ride by Matthew Chadwick. Rewarding Together has spent time in Conghua since that win and been working well. He has drawn the rails again here and if Matthew can produce the same ride, I make him a win and place chance.
Handsome Bo Bo was slow from the gates and stormed home to run third behind Whizz Kid over 1000m on 9 November. Hugh Bowman takes the ride for trainer Danny Shum on Handsome Bo Bo, who has been racing consistently well without winning and I make him a place chance.
Rock Ya Heart was second in the race won by Whizz Kid and Ping Hai Galaxy ran home well for fourth and they both have place chances in an open race that should provide a very competitive contest for racing fans.
Comment
